The Geneva Chamber of Commerce will have its first new president in more than four decades, starting July 9.

The Geneva Chamber Board of Directors announced Tuesday (June 12, 2018) that it has selected longtime Kane and McHenry county medical society leader Paula Schmidt to replace Jean Gaines, who announced her retirement in February after serving as Geneva Chamber president for 40 years.

Paula Schmidt

Schmidt was selected after a process that began in April of this year and included interviews with many applicants over the last month and a half.

Schmidt has been employed with the Kane and McHenry Medical Societies since July 2008. She began her medical association career as the assistant executive director and was promoted to executive director later in 2008. She also administers for the Will-Grundy County Medical Society since May of 2014.

The three medical societies are the membership associations for county level doctors in the Kane, McHenry and Will-Grundy counties. It is Schmidt’s responsibility to help organize learning and Continuing Medical Education events, practice management education events along with the everyday administration of a membership organization.

Jean Gaines

Prior to her employment with the medical societies, Schmidt managed office staff and finances for two technology consulting and sales businesses she owned with her husband.

She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a journalism degree.

Schmidt has lived in the Fox Valley area since 1997. Along with her husband, Mark, she is the parent of three daughters: Lauren, Andrea and Kimber. She has been involved with the Fox Valley community through church and volunteer organizations.

She serves as president of the St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club and will take over the duties of their foundation in July.

SOURCE: Geneva Chamber of Commerce news release